Would I be committing copyright infringement if I registered a Magic® card name as a domain name?
Hi all,
Would I be committing copyright infringement if I
(a) registered a Magic: the Gathering® card name as a domain and;
(b) in this website, I offer a premium charge so people can use services like uploading their own card scans and more?
Or will I be better off just asking for donations for my services?
It would not be copyright but trademark infringement. You cannot have a domain name confusingly similar to a registered trademark (anti-cybersquatting act). Moreover, your proposed business would be exploiting the goodwill of the game and, unless properly licensed to use the trademarks and copyrighted cards, you would be likely be liable for infringing and unfair competition.
You’d be better off picking a better hobby to make money with. You’ll never make much money with that MTG crap. Video games are killing that game off completely and rightfully so.
References :
Chaddy is wrong, but you might want to ask someone in Wizards, they own MTG. Better to be safe then lose thousands, if not millions, and end up in prison for a long time.
References :
It would not be copyright but trademark infringement. You cannot have a domain name confusingly similar to a registered trademark (anti-cybersquatting act). Moreover, your proposed business would be exploiting the goodwill of the game and, unless properly licensed to use the trademarks and copyrighted cards, you would be likely be liable for infringing and unfair competition.
References :
http://www.IPmetrics.net/trademark